Multi-Functional Bracelet

ABSTRACT

A multi-function bracelet that includes a base member and at least a pair of elastic jewelry members carried by said base member The multi-function bracelet further includes at least one elastic ring member adapted to be stretched over the stretched over and received between the elastic jewelry members. When removed from the bracelet the elastic ring member can be worn in the hair as an elastic hair band. Thus, the multi-function bracelet serves to function as an ornamental piece of jewelry and also as a receptacle and storage device for an elastic hair band when the elastic hair band is not being worn in the hair of the wearer of the multi-function bracelet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/816,760, filed on Apr. 28, 2013, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a multi-functional piece of jewelry such as a bracelet. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a bracelet that is adapted to receive an elastic hair band when the elastic hair band is not being worn in the hair of the wearer of the bracelet.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known that people who wear their hair in the style commonly known as a ponytail or a similar style often referred to as pigtails use an elastic hair band to hold their hair in this style. Elastic hair bands are also worn in the hair for practical reasons, i.e. to keep the hair away from the wearer's face. When not being worn in the user's hair, these elastic hair bands are frequently worn around the wearer's wrist, especially in situations where the wearer does not have pockets in which to store the elastic hair band. When worn around the wrist, the elastic hair band does not present a professional, or stylish, appearance, and can result in a residual groove, or indentation, in the skin of the wearer's wrist. Pending U.S. Patent Application US2013/0133365 published on May 30, 2013, describes a bracelet with a groove and cooperating indents for receiving an elastic hair band when the elastic hair band is not being worn.

Bracelets are often worn for reasons related to fashion. While there are bracelets that carry medical or emergency contact information that are worn for practical reasons, jewelry related bracelets are worn for aesthetic, style-driven, or fashion reasons. While there are many types and styles of bracelets, in different colors and constructed from different materials, a popular style of bracelet is known as a bangle bracelet. Bangle bracelets are commonly formed in a complete, substantially circular, shape and are rigid. It is known that the wearer simply slips the bangle bracelet over the fingers and hand in order to slide it onto the wrist.

What is missing from the art is a way of wearing an elastic hair band on a wearer's wrist in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing and that functions as a form of jewelry such as a bracelet. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bangle style, or similar style bracelet that is worn as an article of jewelry that is adapted to receive an elastic hair band, in an aesthetically pleasing manner, when such elastic hair band is not being worn in the hair of the wearer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-function bracelet is provided that includes a base member having cooperating edge members. At least a pair of elastic jewelry strands are received by and carried by the base member. These elastic jewelry strands define annular ridges. In an alternate embodiment, three elastic jewelry strands are carried by the base member. The multi-function bracelet further includes an elastic ring member adapted to be stretched over the annular ridges and taughtly received between the elastic jewelry strands. When removed from the bracelet the elastic ring member can be worn in the hair as an elastic hair band. Thus, the multi-function bracelet serves to function as an ornamental piece of jewelry and also as a receptacle and storage device for an elastic hair band when the elastic hair band is not being worn in the hair of the wearer of the multi-function bracelet.

In order to facilitate removal of the elastic ring member from between the two elastic jewelry strands, a graspable tab member is carried by the elastic ring member. While the tab member could be carried directly by the elastic ring member, in the preferred embodiment, it is attached to the elastic ring member by means of a jump ring. The tab member can be shaped or designed in any aesthetically pleasing manner so as to function as a charm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-functional bracelet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the multi-functional bracelet as illustrated in FIG. 1 with the elastic ring member removed from the bracelet.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view of the multi-functional bracelet as illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3B being an enlarged section of 3A, showing the elastic ring member being stretched away from the base member prior to removal from the multi-functional bracelet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment multi-functional bracelet of the present invention having three elastic jewelry members.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment of the multi-functional bracelet of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are cross sectional views taken at cut-line 6 in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, a multi-function bracelet 10 is provided that includes a base member 15 and at least a pair of elastic jewelry strands 20 carried by the base member 15. The base member 15 is adapted to be received by and worn on the wrist of the user. The elastic jewelry strands 20, when received by the base member 15 of the bracelet 10, define annular ridges. The multi-function bracelet 10 further includes an elastic ring member 30 adapted to be stretched over the annular ridges defined by elastic jewelry strands 20 and taughtly received in the space 25 between the elastic jewelry strands 20. When removed from the bracelet 10, the elastic ring member 30 can be worn in the hair of the wearer of the multi-functional bracelet 10 as an elastic hair band. Thus, the multi-function bracelet 10 serves to function as an ornamental piece of jewelry and also as a receptacle and storage device for an elastic hair band, defined by the elastic ring member 30, when the elastic hair band is not being worn in the hair of the wearer of the multi-function bracelet 10.

In one embodiment, the elastic jewelry strands 20 include an inner elastic core 50 that allows the elastic jewelry strand to be stretched. While the jewelry strands 20 are elastic in the preferred embodiment so as to allow easy placement on the base member 15 and to allow for interchangeability. The elastic jewelry strands 20, which can be rope-like, are rotatably received by the base member 15, and retained on the base member 15 by means of edge members 35. Further, it will be recognized that the elastic jewelry strands 20 could be smooth or could be ornamented with any type of engraving or could be defined by a plurality of links or beads. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6B, at least a pair of annular cuts 60 are provided in the surface of base member 15′ for partially retaining the elastic jewelry strands 20.

Further, those skilled in the jewelry art will recognize that the base member 15 could be fashioned from any of the known jewelry materials including, but not limited to, plastics, ceramics, base metals or alloys, precious or semi-precious metals or alloys, or wood. Similarly, the elastic jewelry strands 20 could be fashioned of different materials. Also, those skilled in the art will recognize that by being removable, the elastic jewelry strands 20 are interchangeable thus giving the user great flexibility as to fashion and aesthetic choices.

In order to facilitate removal of the elastic ring member 30 from between the two elastic jewelry strands 20, a graspable tab member 40 is carried by the elastic ring member 30. While the tab member 40 could be carried directly by the elastic ring member 30, in the preferred embodiment, the tab member 40 is attached to the elastic ring member 30 by means of a jump ring 45. The graspable tab member 40 can be shaped or designed in any aesthetically pleasing manner so as to function as a charm. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the graspable tab member 40 allows the elastic ring member 30 to be stretched outwardly and removed from between the two elastic jewelry strands 20.

In an alternate embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, multi-functional bracelet 110 includes three elastic jewelry strands 120 carried by the base member 115. The addition of a third elastic jewelry strand 120 provides additional space for the wearer of the multi-functional bracelet 110 to carry a pair of elastic ring members 30 for use as elastic hair bands.

FIGS. 1-3B show a bangle style, substantially circular, multi-functional bracelet 10. In an alternate embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the multi-functional bracelet 210 has a substantially elliptical shape or can have a substantially ovoid shape. Further, as opposed to the solid ring of the bangle style illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, this embodiment of the multi-functional bracelet 210 is opened or closed with a clasp member 250. In one embodiment of the clasp member 250, split interlocking and mating ends 260 are provided which can be magnetically secured to one another. As the split interlocking and mating ends 260 are separated, the halves 255 of the multi-functional bracelet 210 rotate around a pin-set 265 defining a pivot point. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are numerous clasp members in the jewelry art that would allow multi-functional bracelet 210 to be opened and closed.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a multi-functional piece of jewelry, namely a multi-functional bracelet that is adapted to receive an elastic hair band, in an aesthetically pleasing manner, when such elastic hair band is not being worn in the hair of the wearer has been provided.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-functional bracelet adapted to receive a hair accessory, said multi-functional bracelet comprising: a base member adapted to be received by and worn on a user's wrist, said base member including a pair of edge members; at least a pair of jewelry strand members carried by said base member between said edge members and in spaced relation from one another; and at least one elastic ring member adapted to be taughtly received between said jewelry strand members, whereby said at least one elastic ring member is also adapted to be worn in the user's hair as an elastic hair band.
 2. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 further including a graspable tab member carried by each of said at least one elastic ring member.
 3. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 2 wherein said graspable tab member is carried directly by each of said at least one elastic ring member.
 4. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 2 wherein a jump ring is disposed between said graspable tab member and said elastic ring member.
 5. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 wherein said base member has a substantially circular shape.
 6. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 wherein said base member has a substantially elliptical shape.
 7. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 wherein said base member has a substantially ovoid shape.
 8. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 wherein said multi-functional bracelet includes three jewelry strand members in spaced relation from one another.
 9. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 wherein said base member and said jewelry strand members are integrally formed.
 10. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 1 wherein said jewelry members are stretchable.
 11. A multi-functional bracelet adapted to receive a hair accessory, said multi-functional bracelet comprising: a base member adapted to be received by and worn on a user's wrist, said base member including two edge members; at least a pair of elastic jewelry members carried by said base member between said edge members; at least one elastic ring member adapted to be taughtly received between said elastic jewelry members, whereby said at least one elastic ring member is also adapted to be worn in the user's hair as an elastic hair band; and a graspable tab member carried by each of said at least one elastic ring member.
 12. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 11 wherein said graspable tab member is carried directly by each of said at least one elastic ring member.
 13. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 11 wherein a jump ring is disposed between said graspable tab member and said elastic ring member.
 14. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 11 wherein said base member has a substantially circular shape.
 15. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 11 wherein said base member has a substantially elliptical shape.
 16. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 11 wherein said base member has a substantially ovoid shape.
 17. A multi-functional bracelet adapted to receive a hair accessory, said multi-functional bracelet comprising: a substantially circular base member having two edge members, said base member being adapted to be received by and worn on a user's wrist; at least a pair of elastic jewelry strand members carried by said base member in spaced relation from one another; at least one elastic ring member adapted to be taughtly received between said elastic jewelry members, whereby said at least one elastic ring member is also adapted to be worn in the user's hair as an elastic hair band; and a graspable tab member carried by each of said at least one elastic ring member, wherein a jump ring is disposed between said graspable tab member and said elastic ring member.
 18. The multi-functional bracelet of claim 17 wherein said multi-functional bracelet includes three elastic jewelry members in spaced relation from one another. 